Composition utilized in image development system

ABSTRACT

An image developing composition containing an alkali metal iodide salt and a liquid vehicle.

United States Patent Stryker et al.

[ 51 May 16,1972

[54] COMPOSITION UTILIZED IN IMAGE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM [72] Inventors: Frederick J. Stryker, San Jose; Otto Kornei, Monte Sereno, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army [22] Filed: May 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No: 38,610

Related 1.1.8. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 716,236, Mar. 26, 1968, Pat. No.

[56] References Cited UNTTED STATES PATENTS 1,642,774 9/1927 Grange ..l17/1.7

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 17,356 3/1935 Australia 106/21 Primary Examiner-Lorenzo B. Hayes Attorney-Harry M. Saragovitz, Edward J. Kelly, Herbert Berl and Robert P. Gibson [5 7 ABSTRACT An image developing composition containing an alkali metal iodide salt and a liquid vehicle.

1 Claim, N0 Drawings COMPOSITION UTILIZED IN IMAGE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 716,236, filed Mar. 26, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,338.

This invention relates to an improvement for the reproduction of a latent oil image of an original document on a copy paper, and more specifically to the improved chemical reproduction of the latent oil image which has been produced by the RLF process.

The RLF process developed by Abram Gamos, which is the subject of Dutch Pat. application No. 6,415,234 is one of the methods utilized to reproduce original designs such as letters, printed or duplicated matter, photographs, drawings or other specially prepared originals whether on paper or other surfaces. The RLF process is based on the discovery that the production of an original design may decrease the absorbency of the surface to liquids in the image areas defining the design and that the resultant differential absorbency as between the image and nonimage areas can be utilized in the production of copies.

The range of liquids which can be differently absorbed in the RLF process depend on the nature of the surface and of the image. In general, the liquids utilized are colorless so as not to perceptibly mark the original, have little or no odor and are nontoxic. Suitable liquids include, for example, water, milk diethylene glycol monethyl ether, glyceryl triacetate, glycerine, diethyl and dimethyl phthalates, and dilute benzoic acid.

One method in accordance with the RLF process comprises positioning a layer of a suitable liquid between the design bearing surface of the original and a second surface in contact with the original. The effect of the differential absorption is that the layer of liquid if formed into a pattern corresponding to the original design and when the second surface is removed, it carries with it a liquid pattern defining a mirror image of the original design.

The resultant image on the copy paper is then rendered visible by the utilization of toner particles with the application of heat. The powders utilized for the development of the image on the copy paper are resins, waxes, shellacs, dyes, particles of metal and the like. A suitable toner is sold under the Trademark Graph-o-Fax (Philip A. Hunt, lnc.).

However, the RLF process of reproduction has certain disadvantages. The toners applicable to the process are expensive. In addition the toning process is a dusty operation which does not readily lend itself to the application by mechanical rollers. Furthermore, heat must be applied to fix the toned image. Moreover, many toner developed images are not heat resistant and will soften even in sunlight.

It is an object of this invention to provide and disclose an improved process for the reproduction of an oil image, developed by the RLF process, from an original onto a copy paper.

It is a further object of this invention to provide and disclose an improved chemical process for the reproduction of an oil image, developed by the RLF process, from an original onto a copy paper.

It is a further object of this invention to provide and disclose a relatively simple chemical process for the reproduction of an oil image, developed by the RLF process, from an original onto a copying paper.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be ascertained from the following description and claims.

In distinction from the dusting process of the Gamos process, our invention involves a chemical development process based on the well known starch/iodine reaction. In our process, an alkali metal iodide containing solution which is transferred with the RLF oil image onto a copy paper, is contacted with a starch containing solution to produce a visible image on the copy paper. The starch containing solution may be applied to the copy paper after the image transfer, either by roller or by spraying. No heat is required to fix the resulting chemical image which is permanent and will not smear or smudge upon rubbing, unlike most toner developed images.

In carrying out our invention, a stock solution designated A, is initially prepared as follows: Ninety-six grams of potassium iodide and 200 grams of glycerol are dissolved in a sufficient quantity of alcohol (Baker Analyzed Reagent Nov 9400) to make 32 oz. 1 qt.) of solution. Sixty mls of the above stock solution and 20 grams of oleic acid are added to a sufficient quantity of said alcohol to make 4 oz. of solution. Baker Analyzed Reagent composed of parts by volume of an alcohol made from a mixture of 95 parts by volume of ethanol and 5 parts by volume of methanol; and 5 parts by volume of 2propanol. However, any of the denatured alcohol compositions may be utilized in lieu of the above mentioned alcohol. In addition, isopropanol and methanol may be substituted for the denatured alcohol. The operable range of amounts of each ingredient in solution A is as follows:

Ingredients Vt by weight potassium iodide 4.65 to 8.65 glycerol 9.71 to 18.02 oleic acid 17.03 to l8.35 alcohol 56.30 to 67.29

EXAMPLE I A small amount of solution A, e.g., 1 drop, is applied to a flat metal plate. A suitable rubber roller is rolled over the plate until the small quantity of solution A is evenly dispersed over the entire surface of the roller. The roller is then rolled over the image containing original which allows the roller to pick up a reversed wrong reading," RLF image on its surface, which when rolled onto a sheet of copy paper becomes right reading. Solution B is sprayed or rolled onto the copy paper which contains the transferred latent oil image. A starch/iodine reaction occurs with an accompanying characteristic purple color which renders the oil image transferred onto the copy paper visible.

EXAMPLE 2 A small amount of solution A, e.g., l to 3 mls, is sprayed onto the image bearing original. The solution wets the paper, but not the ink of the original. A dry roller is then applied to the original to pick up the reverse or, wrong reading," RLF oil image on its surface. The RLF image becomes right reading when the roller is rolled onto the copy paper as in example The image is subsequently developed in accordance with the procedure described in said example 1.

Although we have described our invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the foregoing is made to set forth the best method contemplated in carrying out the invention and not as a limitation thereof, in that many modifications may be made in the combination of chemical proportions or in the application of the chemical solution to the surfaces, without the vitiation of the operability.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A composition of matter consisting of:

Ingredients by Weight potassium iodide 4.65 to 8.65 glycerol 9.7] to l 8.02 oleic acid 17.03 to 18.35

an alcohol consisting of a mixture of methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol 56.30 to 67.29 

